PONTIAN: The re-opening of the Kukup International Ferry Terminal will be postponed for the second time due to the previous ferry operator’s failure to settle its debts.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the company still owes over RM3 million to the state government.
“They also owe some money to the Indonesian government, but I’m not sure about the amount,” he told reporters when met at Teluk Kerang in Tanjung Piai here, today.
Another reason for the postponement, according to Dr Sahruddin, is the Indonesian government’s refusal to give permission to Malaysian ferries to dock in the country.
“This is because the Indonesian government wants to ensure that the new operator has no relation whatsoever with the previous company.
“In the next two or three days, we will go to Indonesia to discuss the matter and to send some documents needed so that our ferries can dock there,” he said.
On the RM3 million owed by the previous ferry operator, Sahruddin said a meeting will be held with the company soon.
The Kukup ferry terminal was closed last Sept 1 after the state government terminated the agreement of its concessionaire, following which, the ferry operations shifted to the Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal in Iskandar Puteri.
The terminal had been scheduled to be reopened on Nov 1, but this was postponed to Nov 6 due to technical issues facing the ferry operators who were in the process of transferring the ferries from Puteri Harbour.
Meanwhile, when asked on the state government’s plan in combatting issues involving foreigners travelling into Malaysia using fake passports, Sahruddin said stricter rules will be enforced.
He expressed hope that both the Immigration and Customs Departments will take necessary action to ensure no entry is permitted to fake passport holders.
When asked about the RM1,000 “wang ehsan” (compassionate money) payment for fishermen in Southern Johor that has yet to be made, Sahruddin told the media that an announcement on the matter will be made tomorrow.
“There will be good news for the fishermen after the state exco meeting tomorrow. So wait for the announcement, which I expect will be made at around noon,” he said.
Earlier today, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub described the RM1,000 payment as an “(unverified) claim” that was made by unknown sources.
However, he said the fishermen will receive the payment if the “wang ehsan” claim turns out to be valid.
On Monday, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said that the payment will be made to the fishermen after the Tanjung Piai by-election.